This article was written by Marie Ellis, MCN senior public policy advisor, and originally published in the Summer 2025 issue of Nonprofit News: Special Nonprofit Advocacy Issue. Read the full… Continue reading Speak up for your mission: how to start public policy work
Author: Laura Dunford
2026 legislative session, public policy priorities
Top takeaway: 2026 policy priorities include uphold and protect the role of the nonprofit sector; advance budget, tax, and economic policies that create a more equitable Minnesota; build a strong… Continue reading 2026 legislative session, public policy priorities
Guidance for federal law enforcement encounters at nonprofits
Top takeaway: A sample policy to help your nonprofit prepare for potential Federal Law Enforcement encounters at your nonprofit. Preparation is the most important factor in avoiding mistakes and managing… Continue reading Guidance for federal law enforcement encounters at nonprofits
Partial federal government shutdown over: updates
Top takeaway: Congress and the White House enacted bipartisan legislation on Feb. 3 to reopen and fund key federal agencies, ending a four-day partial government shutdown. Temporary funding for DHS… Continue reading Partial federal government shutdown over: updates
Actions of solidarity for friends and allies outside Minnesota
Top takeaway: For our non-Minnesotan friends, thank you for your outreach and outpouring of support, and here are some tangible ways you can be in solidarity with the people of… Continue reading Actions of solidarity for friends and allies outside Minnesota
Resources: supporting community during ICE operations
Minnesota is once again facing a dark moment. Our state is undergoing what the federal department of Homeland Security has called the “largest scale immigration operation ever,” an onslaught that… Continue reading Resources: supporting community during ICE operations
Solidarity with our immigrant neighbors
A joint statement from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Council on Foundations, including resources on immigrant safety and legal rights: Across our state, immigrants, especially Somali Minnesotans,… Continue reading Solidarity with our immigrant neighbors
2025 State & Federal Policy Actions – a comprehensive list
Top takeaway: A comprehensive list of state and federal policy actions, listed in reverse chronological order, to help your nonprofit keep track of all the happenings. How to navigate this… Continue reading 2025 State & Federal Policy Actions – a comprehensive list
Federal government shutdown over: top takeaways
The longest federal government shutdown is now over; starting November 13, the federal government is back up and running. Updates: November 13: After 43 days, Congress enacted a legislative package… Continue reading Federal government shutdown over: top takeaways
SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1; latest updates
Top takeaway: 440,000 Minnesotans (over one-third of whom are children) lost access to essential food assistance November 1 as the Trump-Vance administration refuses to release SNAP funds, which is equivalent… Continue reading SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1; latest updates